Marty Meierotto: The Mountain Man Who Chose Silence Over Fame – What Really Happened After Mountain Men?

Marty Meierotto’s life and adventures in the wilderness, as showcased in the History Channel’s Mountain Men, earned him the admiration—and perhaps envy—of many who longed for such a lifestyle.

The longtime Alaskan trapper and hunter had been part of the show for eight seasons since its debut in 2012.

He was as authentic as they come, giving trappers a positive image, so it was understandable that his absence from the show was felt deeply by many.

Born on July 19, 1960, in Superior, Wisconsin, Marty was the second of four children, with the youngest being the only girl.

At six years old, his family moved to a rural community in Foxboro, 20 miles south of Superior.

His father, Thomas, loved the outdoors and turned their 80 acres of land into what he called a hobby farm, complete with horses, chickens, and a garden.

He was a patient teacher who exposed Marty to the wonders of nature and the thrill of the hunt, instilling in him a respect and love for wild places and all that inhabited them.

Marty once said, “The one overriding force that shaped my life was my love of trapping and all things wild.

” He fell in love with hunting as a young boy, but it was trapping that truly ignited his passion.

On small walking trap lines for foxes and raccoons, he realized the course his life would take—there, he felt alive, believing that nothing could compare to that experience.

As he reached his twenties, his trap line expanded, incorporating a wider area and involving a road system and a vehicle.

Soon, however, this wasn’t enough; he felt the call of the wilderness, a more remote place where he believed the real deal could only be found in Alaska.

In May 1985, he and his brother Jeff moved to Alaska, first settling in Anchorage, but finding it too urban for their tastes, they traveled further north to Fairbanks, where they found a more suitable environment.

Marty and Jeff bought a trap line for sale on the remote Squirrel River, using what little money they had left to purchase supplies and plan to live off the land.

Marty described the thrill of the unknown and the adventures that awaited them as beyond description.

In 1987, the brothers chartered a plane to reach their new home, isolated from the outside world.

For Marty, this was living his dream.

He earned money by selling the furs of martens, lynxes, wolves, and anything else he caught in his trap line.

To make ends meet, he took on summer jobs and worked as a commercial fisherman before joining the Alaska Fire Service in 1988 as a wildland firefighter.

Initially a hotshot, he transitioned to a smokejumper and later served as a pilot.

Marty praised his wife, Dominique, for her countless sacrifices that allowed him to pursue his passion, even if it meant being separated for months.

He often marveled at her unwavering support, despite the uncertainties of his lifestyle.

Dominique was the first woman he brought into his world, and she adapted to the challenges of living in the bush, spending winters with him until the birth of their daughter, Noah Jane.

Living in the wilderness was fraught with challenges.

Getting sick in the bush could be life-threatening, especially without adequate medical supplies.

In mid-November, Dominique fell ill, and the weight of responsibility fell heavily on Marty.

After struggling to contact anyone for help, he finally managed to signal for assistance, and Dominique was airlifted to the hospital on Thanksgiving Day.

This experience led Marty to realize the importance of owning and learning to fly a plane, ensuring that he could get help if needed.

In 1994, he purchased his own aircraft, further solidifying his commitment to living in the wild.

Marty faced numerous hardships, including a near-fatal encounter with pancreatitis, which required emergency surgery.

Despite these dangers, he persevered, driven by his passion for trapping and the wilderness lifestyle.

Marty’s life took a turn when Warm Springs Productions of Montana reached out to cast him in Mountain Men for an accurate portrayal of a mountain man.

This interest was sparked by a feature article on Marty in Field and Stream magazine, highlighting his life in the remote Alaskan wilderness.

Over the years, Marty became a beloved figure on the show, showcasing his skills and resilience.

However, as the series progressed, he began to feel the weight of the cameras on his life.

In Season 8, he expressed a desire for his daughter Noah to learn the family business without the presence of cameras.

He wanted their time together to be special, free from the distractions of reality TV.

Marty explained, “If I’m lying on my deathbed, I’m not going to think about how much money I made, but what I did with my life.”

This heartfelt sentiment resonated with fans, who were saddened by his decision to step away from the show.

After leaving Mountain Men, Marty retired from the Bureau of Land Management and the Alaska Fire Service, completing his last mission on July 30, 2019.

His family, friends, and co-workers surprised him with a water salute at the Fairbanks tarmac, a fitting tribute to his years of service.

Marty has continued to live in Alaska with Dominique and Noah, residing in a log cabin they built in Two Rivers.

He remains dedicated to his passions of hunting and trapping, which are integral parts of his identity.

In 2020, he published a book titled In the Land of Wilderness, a collection of stories from his adventures in the Alaskan bush, showcasing his engaging writing style and insight into the world of trapping and hunting.

Today, Marty Meierotto’s life reflects the same values he embraced during his time on Mountain Men: resilience, authenticity, and a deep connection to nature.

While he may no longer be in the public eye, his legacy as a mountain man endures, inspiring others to appreciate the beauty and challenges of wilderness living.

The question remains: Did the wild claim him, or did he simply choose to embrace a quieter life away from the cameras? Only Marty knows for sure.